On April 24, 1999 the delegates of the National Organization for Women of Minnesota
gathered to create a vision for the future. Here is the Vision Statement that
was developed from that meeting:
When we consider the future for Minnesota
women and girls,
We want economic security, equity and family sustainability through living wages, safe, decent, affordable housing, subsidized child care and elder care and valuing women's work in the home.
We want Minnesota streets, homes, schools, etc., to be safe and free from abuse and violence all the time.
We want an end to strict gender roles, heterosexism, stereotyping, labels and prejudice.
We want all people to live in an atmosphere of respect and acceptance.
We want full control of our body, sexuality, reproductive choices and the support to carry out responsible decisions including complete, accurate information and access to health care.
We want affordable, quality, cradle-to-grave health care for all Minnesotans.
We want the elimination of violence, exploitation and distorted body images in the media.
We want education that meets all women's needs starting in early childhood and continuing throughout life, including equal opportunities, representation in curricula and mentoring and positive role models.
We want a fair legal system where all people have full access and the ability to exercise all of their rights.
We want a world where girls are respected and heard.
Our strategies to create this world include to:
Organize women to be conscientious and outspoken consumers.
Raise the children of our community equally, without gender roles, and teach them feminist values.
Strengthen women's political participation and power through the electoral process, lobbying and the courts.
Create mentoring relationships to support girls and women in their professional, personal and activist lives
Commit and build financial and other resources to sustain women's organizations to carry out our vision.
Reach out more individually and organizationally to the entire community to create a more diverse women's movement.
Take a lead on emerging issues that affect women.
Develop education programs for young people on sex, reproductive rights and body image.
Educate people within and outside the women's movement to respect others in all their diversity, use nonviolent conflict resolution techniques and value fairness and equality.
Dialogue and build alliances with men to end sexism and gender roles.
Build a world where everyone sees their goodness and potential and has hope for the future.
Today, we recommit ourselves to speaking up strongly for women and
girls, listening, learning and organizing to move forward on our vision.
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© 1999 Minnesota NOW